The bill amends various sections of Florida Statutes concerning transportation, particularly focusing on the Department of Transportation and the Florida Transportation Commission. It allows the Secretary of Transportation to appoint three assistant secretaries and an Executive Director of Transportation Technology, both exempt from career service. The qualifications for Florida Transportation Commission members are revised to require expertise in higher education, transportation, or workforce development, while the commission is tasked with monitoring transit entities receiving specific funding. The bill also deletes provisions regarding the commission's independence and budgetary control, promoting a more integrated approach with the Department of Transportation. Additionally, it establishes the Florida Transportation Research Institute to enhance research and innovation in the transportation sector and revises funding mechanisms for various transportation programs.

Moreover, the bill introduces new provisions for private airports, requiring them to be inspected and licensed by the Department of Transportation, and allows funding for spaceport capacity improvement projects. It mandates transparency for commercial service airports by requiring operational information to be posted online and establishes new reporting requirements for seaports and airports. The bill also emphasizes small business participation in public-private partnerships by replacing "minority" with "small" businesses in relevant contexts and includes provisions for the Small County Road Assistance Program. Furthermore, it modifies the governance structure of the Jacksonville Transportation Authority and updates regulations regarding wireless communications facilities, ensuring compliance with existing laws while enhancing operational efficiency. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
S 1662 Filed: 212.20, 311.07, 316.0741, 316.0745, 330.27, 331.371, 332.003, 332.005, 332.006, 334.045, 337.027, 337.11, 337.125, 337.135, 337.139, 337.18, 337.251, 337.406, 338.227, 339.2816, 339.287, 339.55, 341.051, 348.754, 349.03, 322.27, 365.172, 379.2293, 493.6101, 493.6403